Delphi, the navel of the world: the Temple of Apollo and the Omphalos stone

Background

The Archaeological Site of Delphi lies in Phocis in Central Greece and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The property covers 51.04 ha with a buffer zone of 14,313.67 ha, and it is inscribed under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi). Its monuments include the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Altar of the Chians, the Stoa of the Athenians, the Tholos, the Polygonal Wall, the theatre and the stadium. The Castalian Spring survives as the remains of two monumental fountains, and the Holy Road runs from the Roman Market to the stadium. The Omphalos is the stone associated with the sanctuary's standing as the navel of the world.